NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

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Page 1 of 14

White Paper

NIOSH Evaluation of the 

Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

December 4, 2013

Stephen Spanos
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 2 of 14

Summary: 

As a result of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Work Group’s (LBNLWG) 

Meeting on February 3, 2012, NIOSH was tasked with evaluating the adequacy of the LBNL 

internal and external monitoring programs. This white paper arose out of an SC&A review of 

the NIOSH Site Profile for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (SCA-TR-SP2010-0002, 

dated January 22, 2010). The reader is referred to SC&A’s original report for their full text.

This white paper responds to LBNLWG matrix issues Numbers 2, 4, 11, and 12. It should be 

noted that issues 2, 4, and 11 overlap with regards to minimum detectable activitiy (MDA)

information. With regards to the Matrix Issues listed above, the LBNLWG’s focus is

summarized by the following items:

1. Completeness of the bioassay monitoring MDA information.

2. Completeness of the internal and external dosimetry records.

3. Adequacy of the monitoring that was done for those exposure pathways. 

Based on the review described in the Discussion section of this white paper concerning the noted 

matrix issues and the LBNLWG primary focus items, NIOSH has determined that:

1. After review of the additional data capture information, NIOSH has determined that 

LBNL’s bioassay monitoring MDA information is adequate for the determination of 

internal dose. Additional LBNL site data captures took place during 2012 and various 

bioassay laboratory procedures were collected that provide sample analysis methods and 

their associated MDAs, as discussed in the Issue 2 response below. These bioassay 

laboratory procedures had not been collected in previous site data capture efforts. These 

recently captured LBNL bioassay laboratory procedures provide a fairly extensive

description of the bioassay programs capabilities. Additional information collected will 

be added to the Site Profile during the next revision.

2. NIOSH uses internal and external dosimetry records directly provided by LBNL for each 

individual claimant and does not use a data base to reconstruct doses for claimants. This 

is discussed in the Issue 4 response below.

3. LBNL’s internal and external monitoring program, discussed in the Issue 12 response 

below, was such that workers with internal and external exposure potential were 

adequately monitored. As a result, internal and external dose coworker studies are not 

warranted at this time.

Discussion: 
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

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Page 3 of 14

Issue 2: Insufficient information for internal dose reconstruction, especially during the early 

years

This matrix issue has several sub-issues that are all related to the adequacy of the internal 

monitoring program. This section specifically discusses information regarding the completeness

and availability of the bioassay monitoring MDA information. Other sub-issues raised by SC&A 

in the October 2012 white paper on issue 2 are addressed in a separate white paper titled 

“NIOSH Response to SC&A Comments Concerning Part of Issue 2 Regarding the Internal 

Monitoring Program at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory”.

NIOSH Response:

Since the discussion of the initial issues during the February 2012 Work Group meeting, 

additional site related data have been collected and reviewed. The most recent site data capture 

effort during 2012 has provided additional documentation regarding the LBNL bioassay 

monitoring program, bioassay procedures, and MDA information. 

Prior to 1959, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) bioassay samples were assessed

offsite at Los Alamos National Laboratory up through 1956, and the Lawrence Livermore

National Laboratory after that time (ORAUT-TKBS-0049). In 1959, LBNL discontinued 

sending all bioassay samples to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and began a small 

routine bioassay sampling program in 1960. From that time, the LBNL bioassay program 

increased to where it was fully operational by 1962. The pre-1962 era is covered by an SEC 

class for LBNL.

The reader is referred to (Unknown 1962, Low-Beer 1964, Buckley 1969, LBNL 1985, LBL 

1989, and Unknown 1993) for additional information, including MDAs, concerning the in-vitro 

bioassay methods discussed below. The additional bioassay MDA and analytical methods 

information from the most recent site data capture, cited above, will be added to the next revision 

of the LBNL Site Profile.

LBNL’s internal bioassay program, which was fully operational by 1962, was capable of 

determining specific alpha, beta, and gamma emitting radionuclides. Urinalysis and fecal 

sampling were performed, as well as whole body counting.

LBNL bioassay sampling methods consisted of, though not exclusively; gross alpha, specific 

actinide determinations, uranium, radium, gross beta, strontium, gamma emitters, carbon-14, 

tritium, specific rare earths (lanthanides) determinations, polonium, phosphorus, sulfur, and 

protactinium. Additional bioassay procedures were adopted over time.
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 4 of 14

The LBNL gross alpha analysis method, which used lanthanum fluoride co-precipitation, was a 

screening assay used to indicate the presence of any actinide, actinium through einsteinium.

Specific actinide determinations on positive gross alpha results for thorium, neptunium, 

plutonium, americium, curium, californium, and einsteinium were made through additional 

processing of the gross alpha preparation by means of column chromatography, 

electrodeposition, and pulse height analysis. Gross alpha analysis was performed from the 

beginning of the bioassay program through 1994, when it was replaced by alpha spectroscopy. 

Polonium, radium and uranium were determined by separate bioassay methods (Low-Beer 

1964). These methods were performed from the beginning of the bioassay program.

The gross beta analysis was used primarily for screening purposes. This method was also

performed from the beginning of the bioassay program. The gross beta procedure was done after 

gamma counting the unprocessed sample. For gross beta analysis, a volume of the sample is 

deposited on an aluminum planchette and counted in a proportional gas flow counter (PGFC) for 

beta activity. This would not identify the specific radionuclide. Positive gross beta results were 

followed by specific procedures to identify the particular radionuclides. Special procedures were 

used to identify radioactive strontium, phosphorus, and the rare earth (lanthanide) elements. The 

lanthanide series consists of; scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, 

promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, 

ytterbium, and lutetium.

Low energy beta emitters were analyzed via the separate method of liquid scintillation counting 

for tritium (H-3), carbon-14 and sulfur-35. These methods were performed from the beginning 

of the bioassay program.

Gamma emitters were analyzed via gamma spectroscopy on an unprocessed sample. Gamma 

emitters were also analyzed via gamma spectroscopy with monovalent ions, such as potassium40 and cesium-137, removed from the sample. These methods were performed as early as 1965.

Monovalent x-ray emitters were determined in the raw urine sample. The principle radionuclide 

of interest in this assay is I-125. X-ray emitter methods were performed as early as 1968.

Whole body counting was performed on a routine and special basis starting in 1962. In 1964 

whole body counting was carried out on special or emergency requests (Various 1961-1964). 

Whole body counting was primarily used to identify specific gamma emitting radionuclides. 

After 1996, LBNL no longer performed WBCs but rather relied on Lawrence Livermore 

National Laboratory (LLNL) for occasional monitoring (ORAUT-TKBS-0049).

Based on a review of the LBNL bioassay and MDA information from the most recent site data 

capture, NIOSH has determined that LBNL had an adequate bioassay monitoring program to 

detect workplace radionuclides. The additional bioassay MDA and analytical methods 
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 5 of 14

information from the most recent site data capture will be added to the next revision of the 

LBNL Site Profile.

Issue 4: Internal and external data legacy, completeness, and accuracy not addressed

This issue regarded completeness of the internal and external data records, specifically the 

adequacy of the bioassay database and the bioassay program for short-lived radionuclides and 

concerns related to monitoring practices that varied by building. 

NIOSH Response:

NIOSH does have a spreadsheet of bioassay data that was provided to NIOSH by LBNL. 

However, this spreadsheet is not used to reconstruct doses for LBNL claims. LBNL routinely 

provides NIOSH the medical files that contain the original individual records. In addition, 

NIOSH has captured bioassay logbooks (e.g. Unknown 1991), Bioassay Cards (e.g. LBL 1983), 

and EH&S Bioassay Lists (e.g. EH&S 1981). The information from these logbooks is associated 

to the Energy Employee’s claim. This ensures that all bioassay associated with an Energy 

Employee is available for the Dose Reconstructor to assess the claim accurately. NIOSH has not 

attempted to validate the adequacy of the bioassay database, nor does it believe it is necessary, 

since NIOSH does not rely on the database to assess claims.

NIOSH has addressed the issue of short lived mixed activation products and an analysis of the 

need for bioassay monitoring in a separate white paper (“NIOSH Response to SC&A Comments 

Concerning Part of Issue 2 Regarding the Internal Monitoring Program at the Lawrence Berkeley 

National Laboratory”). Additional bioassay MDA and analytical methods information from the 

most recent site data capture will be added to the next revision of the LBNL Site Profile.

NIOSH has found no indication that different monitoring standards were in place for different 

buildings at LBNL. NIOSH requests any interview transcripts or detailed notes that could help

elaborate on any assertions that different monitoring standards were in place for different 

buildings at LBNL. Information beyond what is already available regarding work conducted at 

the Donner Laboratory and other laboratories at the University of California campus which 

would qualify under the EEOICPA would require additional site data captures.

Issue 11: Inadequacy of bioassay analyses presentation

This issue regarded completeness of the bioassay monitoring MDA information.

NIOSH Response:
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 6 of 14

As indicated in the NIOSH Response to Issue 2, recently captured LBNL bioassay laboratory 

procedures provide a fairly extensive description of the bioassay programs capabilities. This 

additional bioassay MDA and analytical methods information from the most recent site data 

capture will be added to the revision of the LBNL Site Profile.

Issue 12: Failure to provide sufficient guidance for unmonitored workers

This issue regarded whether there was sufficient information in the Site Profile to adequately 

assess internal dose for all workers and how doses to unmonitored workers are to be assigned. 

NIOSH Response:

NIOSH maintains that based on additional research of LBNL procedures and policies on the 

selection of workers for external and internal monitoring, there are no indications that there were 

unmonitored workers who worked in radiation areas or worked with uncontained radioactive 

material (i.e. should have been monitored). Details of the monitoring program are discussed 

below. Issue 12 concerned the internal monitoring program at LBNL. However, external 

monitoring program information is provided here as well. Based on this information, it is not 

necessary at this time to develop internal and external coworker models for the LBNL site. 

Unmonitored workers should be assigned ambient exposures as outlined in the site profile. 

Internal Radiation Monitoring Program: 

In 1961, LBNL established a routine internal monitoring program of sampling all employees 

working in radiation areas after being hired. The frequency of sampling was quarterly for 

employees working closely with significant quantities of those isotopes of long effective half-life 

(Sr-90, radium, transuranics), annually for employees working with activity, but not described 

under quarterly (e.g., researchers working in Bldg. 70, but not with transuranics; building trades 

personnel frequently working in 70 or 71), every five years for employees of even less potential 

exposure, and upon termination for employees potentially exposed since their last routine 

sample. Non-routine bioassays would be promptly made in all cases where other evidence 

(survey results, air samples, wound from contaminated object) indicated a significant possibility 

of an intake (Howe 1961).

In 1962, the bioassay monitoring program, which at that time was fully operational, scheduling 

was revised to annual sampling for radiochemists and Health Chemistry personnel, semi-annual 

for radiochemists and Health Chemistry personnel more highly exposed to alpha emitters, annual 

sampling of selected members of the building trades frequently assigned maintenance work in 

active areas, and selected administrative personnel whose exposure was essentially zero and 

could be considered control samples (Soule 1962).
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 7 of 14

LBNL maintained bioassay lists from the start of the bioassay program to 1996 when the 

bioassay program changed such that personnel were selected for operational bioassay based on 

the radionuclide authorization program and reviews of work performed. Bioassay lists of names

of individuals were supplied by the Health Chemistry Department to the Bioassay Laboratory

(Various 1961-1964). The Health Chemistry Department maintained personnel in key 

experimental facilities. These Health Chemistry operations personnel provided coordination for 

both engineering needs and monitoring needs. The normally staffed locations were Buildings 1, 

3, 19, 8, 70, 70A, 71, 74, and 88 (UCRL 1964). The Health Chemistry Department later became 

part of the Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S). The EH&S department also 

maintained personnel in key experimental facilities. The normally staffed locations were 

Buildings 1, 3, 51, 70, 70A, 71, 74, and 88 (EH&S 1981). The EH&S department continued the

practice of providing names of individuals who were to be monitored for intakes at LBNL 

(Haley 1979). The bioassay lists included the worker, their location, and specific radionuclide 

samples to be taken. These lists were updated periodically based on individuals being added and 

deleted from the list.

A report of the bioassay laboratory for 1972/1973 indicated that employees in the bioassay 

program were requested to supply 24-hour urine samples for bioassay. Requests were generally 

made either once or twice per year for each employee in the bioassay program. These persons 

worked with, or in areas containing, unsealed radioactive materials (Various 1973). 

A 1983 internal audit of the bioassay lists indicated that anyone working with radioisotopes 

(exclusive of sealed sources) was automatically placed on the list, and that routine bioassay 

samples were submitted on an annual basis. Additional samples were submitted by the 

following; large quantity radioisotope users, Decon and Waste Disposal Group of EH&S, 

Tritium facility personnel, and any person involved in a suspected spill. Also, newly listed 

people were normally sampled within the first two months (Young 1983).

Bioassay program and whole body count procedures in 1986 indicated that all persons at LBNL 

working with radioactive materials, exclusive of sealed sources, were requested to be in the 

bioassay program. The program, which also included periodic whole body counts, was 

administered by the Medical Services Department. Termination bioassay was requested of all 

employees working with radioactive material upon their termination of the radioactive work at 

LBNL. For the Tritium Room facility, urine samples were submitted on a weekly basis, visitors 

included. Also, any employee suspected of an exposure from some type of incident involving 

radioactive material was to immediately submit a bioassay sample in the Medical Department. 

The EH&S Operations group assisted in the implementation of this program. EH&S submitted 

names of personnel to be added to or deleted from the bioassay list (Unknown 1986).
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 8 of 14

Beginning in 1996, the bioassay program changed such that personnel were selected for 

operational bioassay based on the radionuclide authorization program and reviews of work 

performed (ORAUT-TKBS-0049).

A review of present LBNL claim in early 2013, indicates that internal monitoring is available for

various job titles listed in Table 1, and supports the conclusion that LBNL monitored workers for 

intakes of radioactive material across varied job disciplines based on exposure potential and their 

bioassay program selection process as discussed above.

Table 1. Job titles of internally monitored workers based on the NIOSH claimant population (as 

of February 2013, each row represents one or more individuals with given job title.

Job Title

Administrative Assistant

Accelerator Technician

Accelerator Operator

Animal Technician

Cyclotron Operator

Director of Materials Research Division

Electrician

Engineer/Lab Tech/Mechanical Eng.

Instrument Maintenance, Health Chemist

Lab Assistant, Chemist

Mechanical Engineer, Laboratory Technician

Machinist

Mechanical Engineering Technician, Assembly Machinist

Mechanical Technologist

Medical Technologist

Nuclear Chemist

Painter

Physicist

Physicist, Health and Safety Department

Principal Research Technician

Radiation Safety Supervisor

Research Specialist

Research Specialist/Journeyman Machinist

Research Technician

Research, in Charge of Cancer Department

Scientist
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

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Page 9 of 14

Senior Technical Associate

Staff Scientist-Chemist

Supervisor of Outpatient Clinic

Technician

Technologist, Research Associate

Thin Film Coating

Based on a review of the LBNL’s bioassay program information and worker bioassay program 

selection process, NIOSH maintains that LBNL had an operational bioassay monitoring program

since 1962 and individuals who worked with uncontained radioactive materials were monitored

for intakes, and their individual bioassay results can be used to assess their internal dose. The 

pre-1962 era was recommended as an SEC based on the absence of an internal dosimetry 

program and available records.

The LBNL Site Profile will be updated with any pertinent information that was collected since 

the last revision of the Site Profile.

External Radiation Monitoring Program: 

A document entitled “The History of Accelerator Radiological Protection, Personal and 

Professional Memoirs,” (Patterson 1994) describes in Chapter 2 “Early Years at the Rad lab,” 

radiation protection challenges and practices from the earliest days at LBNL. The beginning of 

the Radiation Laboratory personnel film dosimetry program is described along with routine 

practices to assign, exchange, and process dosimeters. There are recorded dose histories for 

individual Berkeley Radiation Laboratory workers beginning in the latter 1930s (UCRL 1937). 

Several examples of a career radiation dose report prepared from 1948 to 1972 are available

(LBNL 1948). There are individual film dosimeter results for nearly every exchange period 

during the period from 1948 until 1972. The series of routine reports entitled “Medical and 

Health Physics Quarterly Report,” such as the one for October, November, and December of 

1950, provides summary statistics of the routine dosimetry program (UCRL 1950). A 1950 

document describes elements of the LBNL radiation safety program (Garden 1950). It is stated 

that all personnel on the project were issued and required to wear film badges. These were

exchanged and read weekly. Badges which showed greater than 0.3 roentgens were given 

special investigation.

As stated previously, the Health Chemistry and EH&S Departments maintained personnel in key 

experimental facilities. They required each employee or visitor working with or near radioactive

materials to have in their possession, and use according to instructions, a current Laboratory film

badge, plus any other dosimeter specified for the work to be done. Health Chemistry and EH&S,
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 10 of 14

also, routinely reviewed the exposure records of all employees working with radioactive 

materials for compliance with radiation control limits. 

A 1968 document stated that a film badge shall be worn by everyone entering either a "High 

Radiation Area" or a "Radiation Area". A film badge shall be worn by all employees and 

permanent visitors or guests within controlled and restricted areas. If working conditions make a 

short-time indication of exposure desirable, the wearing of a pocket ionization chamber may be 

required by the supervisor or the Health Physics Department. All film badges shall contain a 

beta-gamma monitoring film, and in addition any person may request that a neutron-monitoring 

film be issued to him, or his supervisor or the Health Physics Department may require it

(LBL1968).

A 1980 letter in a review of the personnel dosimetry program indicated that inspection of 

personal dosimetry records of several years past showed that whole body beta-gamma and 

neutron exposures did not approach that level for which personal dosimetry is mandated (Young 

1980a). The letter stated that area monitoring would be expanded to ensure that significant 

exposure in the case of the unbadged individual who, for instance, inappropriately enters an 

accelerator area can be evaluated.

The criteria for issuance of personnel dosimeters was changed in a 1980 memorandum to where 

gamma film dosimeters would be issued to employees who work directly with the following 

radiation producing items; particle accelerators, x-ray generators, irradiators, and radioisotopes. 

Firemen, certain Protective Services personnel, and other selected individuals would also be 

issued personal gamma dosimeters (Young 1980b).

The 1980 memorandum also stated that neutron dosimeters would be issued to a limited number 

of personnel who work full time at accelerator sites that fall in the following categories; 

operations and onsite maintenance personnel, users (experimenters, radiation therapy personnel), 

and special cases as determined by Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) on an individual

basis.

LBNL Radiation Safety requirements dated 1990 (LBL 1990), indicated that gamma dosimeters 

were issued quarterly to anyone who worked directly with the following radiation producing

items; particle accelerators (10 hours or more per month), X-ray generators, irradiators, and 

radioisotopes (does not apply to exclusive users of low-energy beta emitters, such as 3

H, 14C,

and 35S). In addition, anyone having the potential for occupational exposure (such as 

experimenters, radiation therapy personnel, LBL firefighters, certain Protective Services 

personnel, etc.), would also receive a gamma dosimeter quarterly.
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 11 of 14

Neutron dosimeters were also issued quarterly to personnel in the following categories who work 

at accelerator sites; operations and maintenance personnel who work 35 hours or more per

month, users (experimenters, radiation-therapy personnel), and special cases as determined by 

EH&S on an individual basis.

Employees whose work only occasionally falls into one of the above categories would be issued 

dosimeters only as required.

Based on a review of the above external monitoring program information, LBNL issued external 

dosimetry to laboratory personnel that had the potential of external exposure. For those workers 

who were not monitored, on-site ambient external dose would be appropriate.

In addition, based on the above information, NIOSH has determined that an external coworker 

study is not warranted.

The LBNL Site Profile will be updated with this additional information.
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 12 of 14

References:

Buckley, 1969, Bioassay Laboratory Manual of Procedures; UCRL-19355; Barbara C. Buckley; 

September 1969; SRDB Ref ID: 118311

EH&S, 1981, The Environmental Health and Safety Department Operational Guide for the 

Health and Safety Representative; December 1981; SRDB Ref ID: 21984

Garden, 1950, Log Sheets for persons entering radioactively hazardous areas; Garden, N. B.; 

Letter dated August 23, 1950; SRDB Ref. ID: 21091

Haley, 1979, Bio-Assay List; Semi-Annual Review, Memorandum to All Environmental Health & 

Safety Monitors, Jim Haley, 1979; SRDB Ref ID: 20883

Howe, 1961, Bioassay Program, correspondence with attached description of bioassay program 

features; P. W. Howe; March 17, 1961; SRDB Ref ID: 20569

LBL, 1968, Health and Safety Guide; UCRL-1793; Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory; June 7, 

1968; SRDB Ref ID: 32419

LBL, 1983, Bioassay Cards to October 1983, Me through Z, Radio-Chemical Assay Request 

Cards; SRDB Ref ID: 32383

LBL, 1989, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Radiochemical Assay Chemical Procedures; May 

1989; SRDB Ref ID: 72000

LBL, 1990, Radiation Safety: Ionizing Radiation, Chapter 21 section only; Lawrence Berkeley 

Laboratory; PUB-3000; June 1990; SRDB Reference ID 21744

LBNL, 1948, Various, Individual Exposure Records (1948-1972), (Name Redacted); Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory; SRDB Ref ID: 32338

LBNL, 1985, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Radiochemical Assay Chemical Procedures; 

September 1985; SRDB Ref ID: 117704

Low-Beer, 1964, Manual of Routine Procedures Used in the Bioassay Program at LRL Berkeley; 

Anne de G. Low-Beer; June 10, 1964; SRDB Ref ID: 117754
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 13 of 14

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), ORAUT-TKBS-0049, Site Profile for the 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Rev 02, May 10, 2010; SRDB Ref ID: 81254

Patterson, 1994, The History of Accelerator Radiological Protection, Personal and Professional 

Memoirs, Particularly Chapter 2, “Early Days at the Rad Lab; Patterson, H. W., and R. H. 

Thomas, editors; June 1994; SRDB Ref ID: 33209

Soule, 1962, Revision to Bioassay Schedule, correspondence to Howard Parker with attached 

revised schedule; Harvey Soule; March 22, 1962; SRDB Ref ID: 20908

UCRL, 1937, Personnel Dose Reports, dose reports for individual workers, 1937 to 1943, 

respectively; University of California Radiation Laboratory; SRDB Ref ID: 117327

UCRL, 1950, Medical and Health Physics Quarterly Report, October, November, and December 

1950; UCRL-1143, University of California, Radiation Laboratory, December, 1950; SRDB Ref 

ID: 44679

UCRL, 1964, Health Chemistry Procedures for Radioisotope Safety, UCRL-11700, University 

of California, Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, October 13, 1964; SRDB Ref ID: 21531 

Unknown, 1962, Analysis Methods of Urine (circa 1962/1963); SRDB Ref ID: 117632 

Unknown, 1986, Bioassay Program and Whole Body Count: EH&S Department's Function, 

description of bioassay program features; December 1986; SRDB Ref ID: 21972

Unknown, 1991, Employee Bioassay Result, Part I, (A-Z); SRDB Ref ID: 32422

Unknown, 1993, Chemical Procedures; January 1993; SRDB Ref ID: 117704

Various, 1961-1964, Memorandums on the Bioassay Program; various authors; various dates 

from 1961-1964; SRDB Ref ID: 72126

Various, 1973, Report of the Bioassay Laboratory July 1972 through June 1973; LBL-2448; 

Charles T. Schmidt, Thornton W. Sargent, David J. Yeager, and Anne de G. Low-Beer; 

November 1973; SRDB Ref ID: 71780

Young, 1980a, Restructured Personnel Dosimetry Program, Young, J.; Memorandum dated 

November 10, 1980; SRDB Ref ID: 32421
NIOSH Evaluation of the Internal and External Monitoring Programs at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory – December 4, 2013

This is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups 

or Subcommittees. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical 

support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions 

taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor.

NOTICE: This report has been reviewed to identify and redact any information that is protected by the Privacy Act 5 USC §552a

and has been cleared for distribution.

Page 14 of 14

Young, 1980b, Change in Personnel Dosimetry Program; Jensen Young; December 10, 1980; 

SRDB Ref ID: 72312

Young, 1983, Internal Audit - Bioassay Lists; Jensen Young; October 24, 1983 83; SRDB Ref 

ID: 117641